U.s. Led By The Vatican?

Opinion - Reader Views

August 28, 2001

In the Aug. 19 Insight section, the article "The White House plan on sex issues: Just say no" depicts an alarmingly underreported fact of our political/social life. The article stated, "Most recently, an ordained Catholic deacon working in the Department of Health and Human Services raised questions about a program developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help parents talk to youngsters about sexual health because he believes it runs counter to the Catholic beliefs of HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson."

A bit of history that a few of us can remember: A little more than 40 years ago, a Roman Catholic was running for president. A great many conservative Protestant Christian voices were raised opposing such a candidate because we would have our national policies taking directions from the Vatican. This type of thing did not happen under the administration of John F. Kennedy.

But now, the conservative Protestant Christians have joined hands with the Catholic Christians and, as noted, public policy is taking its cues from the Vatican. This is an alarming turn of events in a very short period of history.

A bit of history from a bit further into the past: The Vatican removed Galileo from communion with the church until he recanted his scientific discoveries. In old age, Galileo did recant in order to die in communion with his church. The Vatican basically shunned Leonardo DaVinci, and most of his work went unpublished until after his death.

As an upshot, scientific research in astronomy, physics and chemistry migrated north of the Alps to communities more amenable to their work.

The Vatican became known as medievalistic and anti-intellectual.

Is the United States at that same "crossroads"? Are we following a Vatican lead to becoming an intellectual Third World country?